Govt should take steps to bring back black money: Mayawati

BSP supremo Mayawati, whose party is providing outside support to UPA, today pressed the government to take steps to bring back black money into the country and extended her support to all anti-corruption agitations which were above party politics.

BSP supremo Mayawati, whose party is providing outside support to UPA, on Monday pressed the government to take steps to bring back black money into the country and extended her support to all anti-corruption agitations which were above party politics.

The former UP Chief Minister said if the Centre had taken timely steps to address the matter, the Supreme Court would not have had to intervene in the "serious issue".

"We have supported every such organisation and stage which is above party politics and agitating against corruption... This is a serious matter and all political parties should rise above party politics and make efforts to end corruption," Mayawati told reporters here.

The BSP chief was asked if her party supported the anti-corruption agitation of yoga guru Ramdev.

"It is the Centre's responsibility to take along all parties and try to find a way to bring back black money and if this money comes back to India, people living below poverty line will be able to lead a decent life," she said.

Asked if BSP would support Ramdev's agitation which was backed by NDA leaders, she said, "I don't have to say anything about anybody's platform... There should be some middle path through which the money away stashed in foreign banks can be brought back."

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla attacked NDA on the isssue of blackmoney, saying, "During UPA II, we have recovered Rs 48,000 crore through the tax notices sent to people. I want to ask if during NDA regime they were able to recover even Rs 48."